Controller for synchronizing switches.



PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

APPLICATION FILED APR, 10, 1 905.

2 SHEETSSHEBT 1.

{VI A V ma 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY No. 819,787. PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

' H. J. MGMAHAN.

CONTROLLER FOR SYNGHRONIZING SWITCHES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.10, 1905.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2 WITNESSES: L g 57 lNVENTO zfizw/ 58 ATTO j No. $19,787.

'nnrrnn s'rarns 'ArEN HUGH J, MoMAI-IAN, OF MONESSEN, PENNSYLVANIA,ASSIGNOR TO -WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC 8: MAEUFACTURING QCQM PANY,CORPORATION 9F PENNSYLVANIA v cow-mouse oe 'svflon'so m ziwe SWHTCHEQ.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application meridi n 10. 1905. Serial No. 254,792.

To alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HUGH J. MCMAHAN, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Monessen, in the county of Westm'oreland and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Controllersfor Synchronizing Switches, of which the following is a specification.

, My invention relates to electrical apparatus, and particularly tomeans for controlling .the operation of switches that are utilized forcoupling electrical machines in parallel Whei f they attain synchronousoperation.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, compact, and reliablemeans for so governing the operation of a coupling-switch that it shallconnect a corresponding elec trical machine in parallel with one or moreY other machines substantially at the instant when synchronous operationis reached.

In order to efliect the desirediresult, I provide means forautomatically timing the operation of the switch-governing means inaccordance with the rate at which the machines approach synchronism, Inthe accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view, partially in'frontelevation and partially in section, of the principal controllingfeatures of my invention, the cover being re-- moved. Fig; 2 is a planview of the apparathe shown in Fig. 1, the casing being shown insection. Fig. 3 is a diagram of apparatus and circuits, illustrating theelectrical. connections and mode of operation of my invention;

and Fig. his a diagram similar to that shown in Fig.3, but illustratinga modification.

The controller 1, which constitutes the principal element of, myinvention, comprises a number of cooperating elements which may bevariously modified as to form and number and relation of parts and whichmay be mounted in a variety of ways; but, as here shown, the operatingparts are mounted upon a back plate or base 2 and are inclosed androtected by a coverj3', which may be suite ly fastened to the base 2%,Projecting forwardly'from the base 2 are a plurality of posts 4, to theouter ends of which is ms tened a frame-plate 5, by meanspf screws 6.The frame late 5 is also provided with a pluraIity" o posts '7,' -'tothe outer ends of which is fastened a plate or bar any means of 7screws'Q The parts thusjar described conto'the frame-pie re 5, is ashaft 10,'upon'wl1ich eetin 8, 1906..

ag age of is rigidly mounted an arm or, bar 11,- which projectstherefrom in both directions" and which is provided with a hub or collar"12,

that is admstahly clamped to the'shaft 10 by 1 means of set-screws orotherwise. The outer ends of the arm or bar 11 are respectively conneced to the cores 13 and 14 of two solen ward by the action of itssolenoid the corresponding end of the arm or bar 11' willbe. lowered tocorrespondingly rockthe shuttlein its bearings. The end of the barllthat is connected to the solenoid-core 14- is provide wit h an angularbracket-arm 19, the free end of which is pivotally connected to theupper en/d of a dash-pot cylinder 20 and'which is also provided'with acontactbrush-21E; that nl'ojects inwardly substantially parallel to thebase 2 toward the rock-shaft 10; The

'oids 15v and 16, by means of coil-springs 17 and 18/, so that as eithercore is drawn down pnd of the bar 11 that is connected to the so-'alcnoid-corelii is provided with a suitable weight 22 to'counterbalancethe "dash pot cylinder and the other parts which are iupported bycorresponding end of the The rod 23 or" the dash-pot iston 24 ispivotally connected to one-end o a lever 25, that is supportedintermediate its ends 'on a Short shaft or pivot 26,"tha hasits'bearings in the;

plates 5 and 8. The end of the lever 25. to

which the piston-rod 3 is connectedis' also connected to a post 27 thatprojects from'the' base 2, by means of a coil-spring 28, ascrewv,

29 being provided for, adjusting the amount of pull exerted by'thepring. The other end of the lever is con ected, by ineans of-a link 30,to the outer e; d of anarin 31 ,which is loosely mounted u on a shortshaft 32,,the

respective ends of w 'ch are journaled-in'the frame plate 5 and theplate 8. I

The portion of the arm.31 adj acent-to shaft 32 is provided with a fork33. Bi

5 and 8 is a segmental block'34, referably' formed ofinsulating'hiaterial an provided with a pin 35, that sgso locatedbetween the: Pr -1 s the ee latte be si se r airmounted upon the shaft32 between thep ates y from left to right, and consequently set into acorresponding recess, so as to fit 'erence has already been made, makesenmeans of aslot-and-scrcw connection 42 with shoulder 39".

of the segmental hlocl; 34, and a simi a1" brushas indicative of anynumber of generators,

energy, arerespectively provided with douv sw1tch46 are snnue a bar 46;connected, by n'icans or tion by reason of the en one or the other ofthem, according to the d irection and relation. of movement oil theparts. The pin. is connected to hub 36 of thc'arm 31 by means oi aspiral sprii which tends to move the segmental hioclrS to hold the pin35 in engagement with the 1 prong of the fork The pcriph segmental block34 is provided ducting plate or strip 38, the outer sue ace ol which issubstantially flush with the periphcral surface of the block at one end,and at the other end the block is cut away to pro vide an offset. At theollset end of the block 84' a small insulating hlcclr 39, having aslightly-inclined surface at its outer end, is

against the end of the plate 38 and provide a The brush-contact member21, to which refgagement at its free end with the eriphery contactmember 40 is mounted in an. arm 41, which in turn 1s adyustablysuyiported hy the frame-plate 5, so that it be adjusted to vary theposition of the free end of the brush 40 with reference to the contactstrip or plate 38, with which the segmental block 3d is provided.

Referring now to Fig, 8 in connection with the receding figures,twoalternating-current mac u'nes 4:3 and 44, which may he assumed rotaryconverters, or synchronous motors which It may he d eslred to. connectin parallel to either supply or utilize alternat1ng-current here this imean hers of the l ngis. i shown, the movable contact switch l5 areconnected togelhcrhy u oar l,

and the con nondi the members of Each pair r.v

weight 50, the l 'th catch or cg;

titled, and supported by a sdital s switches are norxnallv held "gemcatch 51 of a project? 21 or a solenoid 55, this such as a battery 58.

, spective machines 43 and 4d.

drawn to permit the weight SO'to close the switch when the solenoid isenergized to raise its core. The solenoids 55 are connected in parallelto a normally open. circuit 5s 57, that is supplied with energy from asuitable so urcc, The brushes 3]. and 40 of the controller constitutethe te'rinirm s of the battery-circuit, and that circuit fore closedonly Wnen both brushes are in ccn-- tactwith the strip orplatc 38 of thesegmental block 34. This condition is at aincd when and only when themachines 45 and as! atta' chronous operation, and this conditio broughtabout by any one of various arrangements and connections of circuits.

For the purpose of illustration 1 have shown the solenoids 15 and 16having their upper terminals connected, res 'ectively, to the outerterminals of the seconrlhry' winding 59 of transformer 60, the primaryWllitllilg of which is connected to the bus-bars l7 and 48, and ashaving their lower terminals connccted together and to one terminal ofthe secondary winding 62 of each of two trans formers {33, the primaryWindi 84 of which are connected across the terniil' is of the reis otherterininals oi the secondary windings S2 of the transformers 63 areconnected to the middle point oi the secondary Winding 59 of thetransformer 60..

For convenience of description I have shown the switch 45 as closed, sothat the machine is connected to the bus-bars 47 "1'0 and 4-8, and itwill he assumed. that it is operating normal speed and that the otherparts of the apparatus are in the positions indicated in. the drzwrings.

i1 th machine it is to be connected to the lms-l ars 47 and 453 to oerate in parallel with the machine 48, it wil be started withthe switch15 open, and so long as its periodicity is (litlerent from that of themachine 43 the current induced in the secondary Winding 62 of thetransformer 63, corresponding to the machine 44, will traverse the twohalves of the secondary winding 59 or the transformer 60 in oppositedirections and will also traverse both of the solenoids 15 and 16. Sincethe current is not in ep with that induced in the contrary by currentderived from the do generator 43, there will be substantial uniforinityin the pull exerted by the two solenoids until the frog ucncy ofalternations supplied by the marhiine 44 becomes approxinnitcly the sameas that supplied by the machine When this condition is reached, thecurrent in the half of the transformer sec- -v 59 that is connected tothe solenoid Vill oppose that induced in the said half u t" c primaryWinding, and the current sup plied to the other hah will be added tothat induced therein, and consequently the solenoid 15 will he soenergized as to cxert a pull in excess of that exerted by the solenoideraser 3 switch ea ed, thus connect the machine {id to" the bus-bars. IY 1 so Fin case the approach-to synchronism is 1 slow and gradual theleakage, of air into the dash=pot cylinder 26 will be snchgas to permitthe cylinder to move independently of the piston 24, and consequentlythe brush2l. will r 5 be moved into contact with the strip 38 with.-

;,out any appreciable movement or the seg-' mental block 34,lfl'howeve'r, the approach to synchronism is rapid, the, pull upon thecore 13 of the solenoid 15 will be correspondzo in ly strong and the bar11 will be rocked :11 with 'suificient rapidity to preclude the entranceof an ap reciable amount ofair into he dash-potcylmder. The piston willthereere-be moved with the cylinder and against the; actionof the spring28, and the lever 25,

fhrough one prong of its forkupo'nthe in villser've to turn thesegmental b ock 34. rornjrightv to left at the sametime that the ;onushZIisbeing moved in the opposite direc- 1 ,tion; operation closes thebattery-eircuit more uickly than would be the case if thebrush 2-1only'were moved, the result he- Ding that the main switch will bereleased at 5' such early period as compared with what would be the ifthis provision for the clos- 5 ingot the batterycircuit were notprovided .ithat the main switch will be closed at the in- ,stant whensynchrenisrn occurs, whereas ex.- 4e cept for this prot ion the closingof the *switchwould be delayed and would not take place until after theoccurrence of synchronism, and possibly in some cases not until themachines had reached such condition of nonsynchronous operation thatthey could not .besafely connected in parallel.

' In case there is occasional phase eoincidance, of the currents fromthe two machines when they are operating under such con/di- "onsthatthey generate currents of widely d fferent, frequencies theoccasional coinci- "dence of phase will so energize the solenoid 1 5 astocause it to exert such; a sudden viodent pull upon its core as to rockthe block- 5'5 ;segment- 34 from right to left a distance greater thanthat through which it ordinarily ,imbv'es, thus permitting the contactend of thebrnsh'dO to drop behind, the shoulder 39*, therebyinterruptingor preventing the closoo of the auxiliary batterycircuit, Thisengagement ofthe contact end of the brush with the shoulder 39 serves tolock the segmental block in that position until the descentcf thedashpot plunger moves the fork Q5 "33 i h ifeugh the distance{represented by the he linkfimandthe arm 31'the latter actingdifiierencebetween the diameter of the pin 35 and the space between the prongs ofthe fork. Further movement of the fork will force the shoulder 39 fromits locking position, and the spring 37 will quickly move the block 34 a7b sufficient distance tobreak the contact between the strip 38 and thefinger '21. Referring now to Fig. 4, the several devices andcircuitsthere shown are the same as those illustrated in Fig. 3 andalready de- 7 5 scribed, except as regards one feature of the controller1 and the connections between the same and the secondary winding 59 ofthe transformer 60.. The parts to which no specific reference is madeare'. given the same ref-- erence characters as inthe preceding figures,and the description already given may therefore be read in connectionwith what is here shown. Instead of emplo ing two solenoids 15 and 16,which normally counterbalance each other, I have here substituted acoilspring 65 .for the solenoid 16 of the structure before described.'Tl1is spring is of such strength and is so adjusted as tocounterbalance the'pull exerted by the solenoid 15, exo cept when themachines approach synchronisrn, in'which case the current supplieddirectly to the secondary winding 59 supple-- ments that induced thereinby the primary winding, which isconnected to the bus-bars, 5 andthen thepull of the solenoid 15 overcomes that ofthe spring'65 and the apparatus0 crates in themanner above described to re ease the main switch inorder that it may be'automaticall closed to connect the loo corresending machine in parallel circuit with t e machine or'machines alreadyin op eration, a

The structural details and the combinetionsand arrangements of circuitsand (1011- I05 nections which I have shown and described may be variedin many particulars without departing from my invention, and I thereforedesire to include within the scope of my claims all such variations andmodlfications as do not materially change the mode of oporation orresult.

I claim as my invention v 1. In a synchronizer for alternating-current.dynammelectric machines, a switch for I I 5 coupling the machines, meansfor automatically elosing the switch when the machines come intosynchronism, a normally open governing-circuit having relatively movablecontact-terminals, and an .electromagnetically- 12o actuated means foroperating said contactterminals, said means com rising a time-elc-ment-cont1fol-ling device-w -ch revents closure of the 'governing-circuit w on the electromotive forces occasionally coincide in,12 5 phase but are of materiall different fre-' uency anfd which adjustslie time of such c osure in ..accordance-with the rate at which themachines. are approaching synchronism.

2. In a eyfnchiomzer for alternating cur- 1 o rent dynamo-elec ricmachines,-a switch for coupling the machines, a normally'openswitclngoverning circuit,.tnieans actuated by the main circuits when themachines are synchronized to close the said switch-gm/erning circuit,said means comprising time-elemcn tcontrolling devices which serve toprevent closure of said switch-governing circuit when coincidence inphase occurs at intervals and the elcctromotive-force frequencies arematerially unlike, and which also serve to in sure closure of theswitch-governing circuit at a time that corresponds to the rate at whichthe machines approach synchronism.

3. In a synchronizer for alternating-can rent dynamo-electric machines,a switch for coupling the machines, a normally open switch-governincircuit, an elcctromagnet that is energi-zec by the main circuits whensynchronism occurs, relatively movable contact members that are actuatedby saidmagnet, when energized,-to close said switchgoverning circuit,and a time element for automatical ly varying the movement of saidcontact members in accordance with the ireq uency and phase relations ofsaid machines.

a. in a synchronizer for alternatingwnn rent machines, a switch forcoupling the machines, means for controlling the switch, and means foractuating the switch-controlling means earlier when the dynamos approachsynchronism faster than a predetermined rate. 1

5. In a synchronizer for alternating-cue rent machines, a switch forcoupling the ma chines, means for governing the switch, a second switchfor controlling the closing of the first switch, and means whereby thesecond switch will be closed earlier when the dvnamos are approachingsynchronism faster than a predetermined rate.

6. In a synchronizer for alternating-current machines, a switch forcoupling the ma chines, means for closing the switch, 9, normally opencircuit having means for energizing the switch-closing means when themachmesfapproach synchronism, and means for closing the normally opencircuit which embodies a variable time element device to prevent, suchclosure when the electromotive l forces of the machines have occasionalphase rent dynammelectric machines, a switch for coupling the machines,means for governing sirens? the switch, a second switch fcircontrollingthe closing of the first switch, and means for automatically timing theoperation of vthe SGCO'IMLSl/VlbCli in accordance with the rateat whichthe machines are approaching synehronisni.

.9. In a synchronizer for alternating-cur rent dynamo-electric machines,a switch for coupling the machines, means for governing the operation ofthe switch, comprisin a normally open circuit, relatively mova lecircuit -closing members, operating magnets, and dash-pot mechanism thatregulates the movement of thecircuit-closing members in accordance withthe rate at which the ma chines approach synchronism.

10, Means for connecting a dynamo-ales trio machine in "parallelcircuitwith oneoi more other similar machinesat the instant when synchronismoccurs, com rising anactom atic switch and a governing evice thereforhaving a stationary contact memberandtwo sting-coils, and a time elementthat cooper- .ates with said coil or coils to, controlthe operation ofsaid movable contact members in accordance with the rate at which themachines approach synchronism.

11. Means for connecting a dynamo-electric machine in parallel circuitwith oneor more other similar machines when synchronous operation isattained, comprising a main switch, means for closing the same, and agoverning device for said closing means havinga stationary contactmember and two movable contact members, actuating coils for said movablecontact members and a variable, lost-n1 otion connection between saidmovable contact members, the amount of lost motion being dependent u onthe rate at which the machines approac synchronism.

12. The combination with an alternatingcurrent circuit and one or more,dynamo-electric machines connected thereto, of another similar machine,a switch for connecting said machines in parallel when synchronousopenfor said switch comprising an electromagnet and a norm ally openauxiliarycircuit there/ for, relatively movable contact-terminals forsaid auxiliary circuit, actuating-coils for said movable contactmembers, one or more aqtu-- ation is reached, a releasing andclosing-means terminals that are-so connected to the matoo ' circuit andto the disconnected machineas'to be responsive to phase coincidence ofthe two.

current-waves, and an. automatic governor for the contact-terminals thatregulates their relative movementvto'cireuit closing posing? preach ofsynchronism.-

- 14. A synchronizing governor for auto-- matic coupling-switches,comprising a mov' ablememberhaving a conducting -strip, a terminalfinger thatnormally engages said strip, a pivoted bar having a terminalfingerthat is norm allyheld out of engagement W-ltl'l said strip, adash-pot, one memberof which is supported by said pivoted bar and theother member ofgwhich is connected to the movable member having'theconducting-strip, a magnet-coil and an armature therefor that isconnected tothe pivoted bar.

: 15.-A synchro'nizinggovernor for auto-' i natic coupling-switches,comprising a switch iinember having a limited range of movement,stationary terminal finger that normally engages a conducting portion ofsaid member, a pivoted bar having a terminal finger th at normallyengages anon-conducting portion of said switch member, adash-pot, onemember of which is supported by said pivoted bar, a link-and-levermechanism connecting the other member of said dash-pot with the movableswitch member, a magnet-coil and an armature therefor that is connectedto the pivoted-bar. 4

-16. A synchronizin governor for automatic coupling-switches, comprisinga switch member having a conducting'portion and a non-conducting portionand mounted to have a limited pivotalmovement, a stationary terminalfinger, a pivoted bar having a terminal finger, a dash-pot, one memberof -.which is supported by said pivoted bar, a

linlr-and-lever mechanism connected to the other member of said dash-potand having a lost-motion connection with said switch member, amagnet-coll and an armature therefor that is connected to said pivotedbar.

17. A synchronizing-governog for automatic coupling-switches, comprisinga movable member having conducting and nonconducting contact portions,two cooperating terminal fingers, a stationary support for one of saidfingers, a pivoted barupon which the other finger is mounted, adash-pot, one member of which is attached to said pivoted bar, alink-and-lerfer mechanism, connected to the other member of said dashpot, a spring and a slot-and-pin connection between said lmk-and-levermechanism and the movable switch member, a magnet-coil and an armaturetherefor that is connected to said pivoted bar.

A synchronizing governor for automaticcoupling-switches, comprising asegmental insulating-block, having-"a surface conducting-strip, andpivotally mounted to. i

have a limited range of movement, two eo.

operating contact-fingers, one'ofwhich is adjustableup'ona stationarysupport, a piv oted I v. ,bar 11 on'which the other fin er is mounted,vi or positions in accordance with the rate of a a das -'pot, onemember'of w nehi 'su'ppora connect'edto the othermember'of said dash.-

to saidjpivotedbarp .7, -19. synchronizing-g'overnorfor automaticcoupling-switches; comprising a seg mental insulating switch memberhaving a ed by said bar,- a link-and lever mechanism -pot,'and having aslot-and pin and spring connection with said switch member, a-mag--net-coil and an armature therefor connected Y a surface contact-stripand a shoulder adj acent to one end thereof, two contact-fingers, one ofwhich normally engages the conductingstrip adjacent to said shoulder, apivotallymounted bar upon which the other finger is mounted to'normallyengage the insulatng' portion of the switch member, a dash-pot, onemember of which is supported by said bar, a link-and-lever mechanismconnected to the other member of said dash-pot-, and having aslot-andpin and spring connection with a movable switch member, a magnetcoil and an armature therefor which is-connectedto said bar.

20. A, 7 synchronizIng governor for auto-- matic coupling-switches,comprising a segmental switch memberhaving an arc-shapedcontact-surface, a portion of which'is conducting and another portion ofwhich is nonconducting, a contact-finger with which the conductingortion'of the segmental switch member ma (es and breaks contact, a'plvoted bar having a second contact-finger that also makes and breakscontact with the conducting portion of said switch member, a dash-pot,one member of which'is, supported by said pivoted bar, a link-and-levermechanism inter osed between the other member of the dasl 0t and thesegmental switch IIO member and. aving a slot-and-pinand springconnection with the latter, two magnet-coils and armatures therefor thatare respectively connected to the opposite ends of tlie pivoted bar. i

21 A synchronizing governor for automatic coupling-switches, comprisin anonconducting segment having a su aceconductin strip, a stationaryconducting-finger norma y in engagement withsaid conducting-strip, apivoted bar, a second contact-finger supported by said bar, and normallyengaging a non-conducting portion of said segment, a dash-pot, onemember of which is supported by said bar, a link-and-lever mechanisminterposed between the other member of said dash-pot and said segmentand having contact-finger nori'nali v' engaging said cenductin -stri):id'ncent to said shoulder H, D I pivoted bar, a, contuct-iingersupport-1%] of,

' said her and nornmlly engaging the insulnting-surtace of the segmcni:il switch member adjacent to the other end of the cmulucti' strip, adash-pot, one member of which issu, pended from. one end of the g'wimiink-mid-hwcr mechanism inth'nosetl h tween the other member of said Lid4 i the segmental switch nicn'iher, and having lost-motion springconnection therewith spring tending to separate the (la i-pet bers, asolenoid and a core thereior which is attached to the end of the pivotedLever opposite that which supports the GODULCt-filb ger and the dash-potmember.

A. 'nchiionizing-gove1'nor {or enter lflEtlIiC coupling-switchcs,ceinprisin: a pivotally-mmmtixl switch n'icinhci', h iz'n; an nrc-shupedsurfac L portion onig, oi whit is formed oi -nm1ccing materiel, m.adjust-- able, stai'ioinn con ctih that normally engages the vomit: tingpoi Uions of the piv otecl switch inmnhcz, e {l*.*0h1ll \fll'ifl1hsihnving contzn t-fiiiger that in the noii-conmhicting sul'i'i M: oithe pivoted switch member, a (in :ot, one i'iir-mher of which issuppmted l one and of said her, a link-und-lcvcr mechanism connected tothe other member of said. dash-pot, and hii a lost-motion springconnection to the pi oted switch member, a spring tending to normcllyseparate the clash-pot members, a so lcnoid and a core therefor, that issuspended from the end of the pivoted hm which is op- 1e coniaet fingerand tcched.

Moon.

. I n'werni on, e pivoted inn, said is moved 3 p0 Lion of the p ot, onemember of which is atmeirecr, a lintnand-levor anism connected to theother member of said dash-pot, and having a lost-motion spring commotionto said pivoted switch mem er, means tcndi to sepia-rate the dashp etmembers, a solenoid nd a core therefor mm is attached to sand pivotedher.

25. The combination with a main switch, and i1 noi'n'mily open gov 'rni& circuit there for, of meets for controllin the fn'filifil of saidovcrningcircuit, compi' h :1 segmental itch m ibcr that is mounted tohave a lin'iitcri (1 c of rotativc movement, two cooperating tiOnm'fv'mid the other movz'i-hle, one or more magnet-coils arranged tofiiCiI'illilO the movable (Wiltflfi nger mui n ccsltpot mechanism thatis interposed tween said finger and said segmental swit i i ember andhas a limited lost-motion coml gut-ion with the latter.

in testimony wh reef I have hereunto subscribed my name this 7th day ofApril, 1905.

J. M 0M1 KHAN gm, .119 the conch ng por iiion of nu, but EiiiflUhGd toen a' e 1 1 a L 1 iom' enema-er trio switch mhicbhngers, one of which issta-

